He has conquered the worlds of dance, art, boxing and publishing – now Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley is to launch his first single with a special 1916 ballad.

The Chicago-born star has launched a special track entitled ‘The Rising’ and it will be the theme song for a film about to go into production about the dramatic events of Easter 1916.

Written by Brian Flanagan, ‘The Rising’ features Mr Flatley both on flute and narrating the lyrics.

“When Brian first came to me about the project, I was thrilled and honoured,” the star told independent.ie

Michael Flatley in the recording studio for 'The Rising'.
Story by Ralph Riegel

“It is a really, really great song and I think captures just what the Easter Rising meant for Ireland.”

“I’m very proud of how it worked out and delighted for Brian because it is a great track.”

The track will now be the theme song for a film detailing the events of 1916 and the fate of those who took part in the Rising.

It is expected to be released in early 2017.

Michael Flatley in the recording studio for 'The Rising'.
Story by Ralph Riegel

The dancer admitted he is fascinated by the impact of the Easter Rising on Ireland and Irish culture.

He has watched the programme of events with interest and is hoping to find time in his busy touring schedule to return to Ireland for the Easter 1916 centenary events.

(L-R) Dancer/choreographer Michael Flatley, son Michael St. James Flatley and wife Niamh O'Brien attend the "Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games" Broadway opening night at the Lyric Theatre on November 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/WireImage)

“I’m certainly hoping to be in Ireland for some of the programme of events but it is not easy because of how busy it is with our world tour at the moment.”

Mr Flatley is currently touring North America with his ‘Lord of the Dance – Dangerous Games’ show.

It is currently touring over 200 venues in almost 30 countries worldwide.

The star intends to hang up his dancing shoes when the current worldwide tour is finished.

His plan is to spend more time with his wife and son, Michael St James, play some golf and indulge his passion for painting.

“I've been painting for years and years but I never showed anybody my work,” he said.

“It was kind of a secret thing; I keep them (portraits) in Castlehyde, in our dungeon there, and then recently I put one up for auction and it made a lot of money... to save Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, so then they asked me would I sell some more and do some more things, so I started slowly letting them out and now it's just taken off,” he said.

The star decided last October to place his beloved Castlehyde on the market given that he now has to spend most of his time in London where his booming entertainment industry is based.

The property was purchased in 2001 for €3m and the star then lavished €27m on the near-derelict property to restore it to its 18th Century splendour.

The refurbishment of Castlehyde has been hailed as the single greatest private restoration project in Ireland over the past 25 years.

Over his career, Michael Flatley has won awards for his dancing, art, flute playing and even boxing where he reached Golden Gloves standard in Chicago.